ESTATE PLANNING

PROBATE

Our client’s peace of mind and satisfaction is vital to us. Through a personalized approach, we take care of our clients’ specific needs in preparing their estate plan, and funding their trusts. We also assist in trust administration to provide for a timely wealth transfer. Our clients are at various stages of their lives. Some need only a simple will. Others request that their planning documents are reviewed and updated by us. Still others require a comprehensive trust package generally consisting of:

• Revocable Trust
• Certifications of Trust 
• Will 
• Durable Power of Attorney for Personal Property Management (DPOA) 
• Health Care Directive (HCD) 
• Trust Transfer Deed and Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) 

Probate is when the court supervises the processes that transfer legal title of property from the estate of the person who has died (the "decedent") to his or her beneficiaries. We assist in completing court forms and appear in court to: prove to the Court that the Will is valid, appoint a legal representative with authority to act on behalf of the decedent, identify and inventory the decedent's property, and have that property appraised, pay debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining property according to the terms of the Will or to the decedent's heirs. Probate fees are set by state law.

TRUST ADMINISTRATION

Trust administration is a necessary process that occurs after the death of either one or both settlors of the trust. To protect the successor trustees, there are many things that must be done to ensure proper administration. Working with an attorney for trust administration is a straightforward process that will give the successor trustees a great peace of mind throughout the administration.